I have a very bare front yard. There's an enormous (45' or more) Red Cedar right in the middle of the yard and it constantly drops debris. The yard is very dry all the time as the cedar saps every bit of moisture out of the soil. We have "third stage" watering restrictions in place because of a bad drought, which means that we are only allowed to water only twice a month. Soaker hoses aren't allowed except around our foundations with the restrictions.

Further, there are other large trees around that cast shade, and the house faces northwest so morning sun is totally blocked. It's basically "all dry shade, all the time". I can't get ANY sort of grass to grow there. Even weeds are sparse. It's basically bare dirt once I rake out the cedar droppings. Now, add into the equation very heavy clay soil with a solid layer of caliche ("whiterock") that sits just a few inches below the surface, and a steep slope that sits less than 18" away from the front of the cedar which makes it awkward to make a nice built-up bed of any real size. I'm hoping that I could come up with something to make my yard look less depressing and bare.

I do have some Pittosporum bushes in front of the house, and a little bit of Liriope along the front walk where the sun reaches, but that walk's edge is where the sun stops and the constant shade begins. I can get Hosta to limp along with the Pitts, and I can put in some annuals that won't croak instantly in that same bed, but it's not right under that cedar. This yard is just UGLY, the cedar dominates the yard, and I'm at my wit's end.

Every type of grass or shade plant I've tried to plant anywhere near that cedar just dies, even potted plants. And I cannot get rid of the cedar because this is a rental property. If I had my druthers, that thing would have been planking or mulch a long time ago and a nice Crape myrtle or some other small tree would have replaced it.

Any ideas?